The Listed 7f Chesham Stakes starts the final day of Royal Ascot off (14:30). At the odds on offer, Pinatubo looks worth a wager to complete his hat-trick now upped in trip.
Trained by Charlie Appleby for powerful owners Godolphin, the son of Shamardal caught the eye on debut when easily winning a novice all-weather contest at Wolverhampton.
Pinatubo raced in mid-division and was pushed along by James Doyle two out. He then made good headway on the outside and quickened to lead inside the last 100 yards, before being pushed to score by 3 1/4 lengths from Platinum Star.
The runner-up has since chased home Southern Hills in the Windsor Castle Stakes here earlier this week when beaten just half-a-length.
War Storm, who was third at Wolverhampton, has since come out and won at York, so the form has a good look to it.
Pinatubo then made it back-to-back victories in the Woodcote Stakes on Oaks day at Epsom last time out.
The way he ran on and hit the line hard in that valuable conditions contest suggests the extra furlong of this will be no problem.
With his stable operating a healthy 23 per cent strike rate in the last two weeks at the time of writing, Pinatubo thus looks well worth backing at 5/1 with Boylesports in this.
Lope Y Fernandez respected in Chesham Stakes
Aidan O’Brien has won two of the last three renewals of the Chesham Stakes, and saddles four in search of the spoils this year.
Of the Ballydoyle quartet, Lope Y Fernandez made a very taking debut at The Curragh and heads the betting as a result.
This Lope De Vega colt scored eased down over the trip despite being reluctant to go into the stalls.
He chased the leaders and was third at halfway, then took closer order inside the two marker and took it up before the final furlong.
The way in which Lope Y Fernandez put the race to bed so stylishly when pushed clear suggests he is another top prospect for his powerful connections.
He was value for more than the 3 3/4 lengths winning margin and led home a 1-2-3 for the stable.
After costing Coolmore €900,000 as a yearling, big things are expected of Lope Y Fernandez.
Given connections, he commands plenty of respect but is also a short-price 6/5 favourite with Coral in a 17-runner field.
It would be no surprise to see him take another step forward on his impressive debut and follow in the hoofprints of Churchill and September, but Lope Y Fernandez is opposed on his cramped odds alone.
Year Of The Tiger and Mohican Heights have each-way shouts
With precious little form to go on, a case can be made for many being involved in the finish.
Year Of The Tiger caught the eye when runner-up on debut at The Curragh for O’Brien.
The son of Galileo ran on under a hands and heels ride to beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Lil Grey in a 6f maiden.
As Year Of The Tiger was giving 5lb to the winner, who had the benefit of a prior run under her belt, this was a fine effort.
It’s not always the first string from Ballydoyle who win events like these, so it could pay for punters to hedge their bets.
Year Of The Tiger is 14/1 with Bethard and one to consider each-way on that basis.
On a form line through Lil Grey, Mohican Heights also has claims of making the frame.
This son of Australia beat the filly when making all to score 1 1/4 lengths in a Leopardstown maiden over the trip.
Mohican Heights has since left the care of Fozzy Stack after Qatar Racing paid £520,000 at the sales for him earlier this week.
He now makes his debut for new trainer David Simock, who has been among the winners of late.
With Lil Grey advertising Leopardstown form, Mohican Heights has a shout of making the frame yet is available at bigger odds – 16/1 with BetVictor – than Year Of The Tiger.
That doesn’t make sense, so punters should look out for bookies paying extra places on the Chesham Stakes.
